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Asthma severity and impact on perinatal outcomes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Z Xu1, J A Doust1, L F Wilson1,2

  • 1NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence on Women and Non-communicable Diseases (CRE-WaND), School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

BJOG : an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|October 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Maternal asthma severity and exacerbations increase the risk of delivering low birthweight (LBW) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) babies. This meta-analysis highlights key risks for adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant individuals with asthma.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pulmonology
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Asthma is a common respiratory condition affecting pregnant individuals.
  • Previous studies have explored links between asthma and adverse perinatal outcomes.
  • Updated evidence is needed on asthma severity, exacerbations, and medication use impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize current evidence on asthma's impact on perinatal outcomes.
  • To investigate associations between asthma severity, exacerbations, and medication use with preterm delivery (PD), low birthweight (LBW), and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.
  • Searched PubMed, Embase, Wanfang, and CNKI databases up to January 2021.
  • Data extraction and risk of bias assessment by two independent authors; random-effects models used.

Main Results:

  • Twenty studies were included in the meta-analysis.
  • Increased maternal asthma severity correlated with higher odds of SGA infants.
  • Asthma exacerbations were linked to increased odds of LBW and SGA infants.
  • Oral corticosteroid use during pregnancy was associated with higher LBW odds.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal asthma severity and exacerbations are significantly associated with increased odds of LBW and SGA infants.
  • These findings underscore the importance of asthma management during pregnancy.
  • Further research may explore specific interventions to mitigate these risks.
Abstract

Keywords:
Adverse perinatal outcomeasthmabeta-agonistscorticosteroidsexacerbation

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